Rock Fans Roaring Over Concert Hoax

July 12, 1985|United Press International

WESTPORT, CONN. — Angry music fans demanded refunds Thursday while embarrassed officials complained they were duped by a housekeeper who promised that rock stars Daryl Hall and John Oates would sing Happy Birthday to the stylish suburb.

Helene Richard, who works for the operator of the Inn at Longshore, convinced organizers of the town`s 150th birthday party Sunday that she was a former sound engineer for the rock stars and could arrange a benefit concert.

About 3,500 people paid $20 each to attend the party at the inn and when it became clear the concert was a hoax, police had to take ``emergency action`` for fear of a possible riot, officials said.

``She has a problem with relating to reality,`` said Al Binford, spokesman for the affluent town that counts actor Paul Newman and comedian Rodney Dangerfield as residents. Police did not plan to file criminal charges.

Apologetic town employees are paying refunds to ticketholders.

Reached at the home of her employer, Rory Taggart, Richard said she had no immediate comment.

Representatives of Hall and Oates said they had never heard of Richard.